The Impact of The Kodak Box Brownie

[Richard Brooks]

I am currently researching the impact the the introduction of the Kodak Box Brownie, not only on photography but on broader social history too. I have found some resources online and the insight collection at Bradford to be helpful in my research so far, but I am now also seeking additional resources.

I am particularly interested in the advertising and marketing and how different approaches were used by Kodak in different parts of the world. However, as I am a student living in the UK I am finding it difficult to find enough examples of advertising in other countries.

I would also like to find correspondence, personal dairy entries and examples of pictures made with Box Brownies, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. to compare how the Box Brownies were really used and perceived as opposed to how Kodak represented their use.

[Michael Wong]

Hi Richard,
Yes, Bradford would be a good bet, but also look into the Kodak archives recently donated to DMU as mentioned by the blog creator here. There appears to be quite a lot of information that may be useful to your research.
Also, no expert here - but there is a book that focuses on Eastman's brilliant marketing of Kodak cameras from the first Kodak camera in 1888 through the 1930s. It's written by a Nancy Martha West and entitled 'Kodak and the Lens of Nostalgia"
Lastly, a really beautiful collection of old vintage camera ads, including Brownies, can be found here.
Looking forward to another BPH blogger (Belinda May)'s site - Poster Collection at PARC - to be equally as impressive in the near future.
Hope info is of use, for what it's worth. Good luck with your research !

[Richard Brooks]

Thanks for your suggestions. I succesfully completed my dissertation and was pleased with the feedback. 

Michael Wong said:

Hi Richard, Yes, Bradford would be a good bet, but also look into the Kodak archives recently donated to DMU as mentioned by the blog creator here. There appears to be quite a lot of information that may be useful to your research. Also, no expert here - but there is a book that focuses on Eastman's brilliant marketing of Kodak cameras from the first Kodak camera in 1888 through the 1930s. It's written by a Nancy Martha West and entitled 'Kodak and the Lens of Nostalgia"
Lastly, a really beautiful collection of old vintage camera ads, including Brownies, can be found here.
Looking forward to another BPH blogger (Belinda May)'s site - Poster Collection at PARC - to be equally as impressive in the near future.
Hope info is of use, for what it's worth. Good luck with your research !